This trip provides all the best that the eastern part of the Philippines has to offer: a paradise island you can enjoy to yourselves, one of Southeast Asia’s best surf breaks and a step back into history hiking through the wondrous ancient emerald rice terraces of Banaue. There is a chance to do a little bit of everything on this 20-day adventure as there is ample time to unpack your bags and live on the beach when you spend a week in Siargao at the world famous Cloud 9 surf break. But there are also portions of the trip where days are filled with activity and crazy travel days as you get a taste of what travelling through the tropical island and mountain oasis of the Philippines is like!

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Manila

Often given a bad reputation for its enormous size and overcrowded population, Manila is actually much more charming than it is given credit for. The city is separated into many distinct districts and when you downsize sprawling Manila into more manageable and smaller cities then individually some of them aren't so bad. We stay at a very cool, backpacker's spot that showcases some of the best live music and dancing venues that Manila has to offer, and seeing the jovial spirit of Filipinos in full force at karaoke and dance bars is a great way to enjoy your time here. Another district houses a massive modern shopping complex that has a very unique vibe to it and is a convenient place for your all-in-one shopping stop. So your expectations may be low for Manila, but enter the city with an open mind and you may very well enjoy your time here!

It'll feel like you're traveling back in time, and in many ways you are, when you take the winding road through Northern Philippines and into the dazzling world of the ancient emerald rice terraces of Banaue. Miraculously dug by hand and carved into the hills by the indigenous Ifugao people over 2000 years ago, the Banaue rice terraces cover over 10,000 km of hillside. And life has not changed much since the terraces were built as they are still the main source of food for the region. Hiking through the mountains of Banaue will not only give you incredible views of the stunning rice terraces and the surrounding scenery, but it will also give you a peek into a humbling lifestyle of farming and village life. Experiencing the Banaue rice terraces will give you an opportunity to see a sight often dubbed 'the 8th Wonder of the World' and also to walk through a world where simpler times prevail and just having food to eat and a place to sleep is more than enough reason to smile!

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Catanduanes

With little development and very few tourists, staying on Catanduanes Island presents an awesome opportunity to hang out with the local Filipino people and experience their famous hospitality. The famous Majestics surf break is right outside our front door on Pururan Beach, our perfect spot on Catanduanes. There isn't much to the island besides the wicked beach, the stellar waves and the people on it, but that is just what we like from a destination! We spend most of our days hitting the beach for some R & R (rum and relaxation) and enjoying the happy-go-lucky atmosphere instilled by the local people, who ensure that each day and night is stress-free and full of fun!

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Panglao

Panglao Island is the perfect balance of having a long gorgeous beach, fun nightlife, and all sorts of natural wonders nearby to explore. It offers scuba diving and snorkelling trips that will blow you away. The visibility and sheer number of fish makes it feel like a dreamy underwater world. The dive sites are protected as UNESCO world heritage sites, where sightings of sea turtles are common, and it’s possible to see dolphins as well! Connected to Bohol Island by a bridge you will have the chance to explore some incredible spots. Bohol is home to the famous ‘Chocolate Hills,’ which are 1268 round hills popping out of the landscape for as far as you can see. At the ‘Tarsier Visitor’s Center’ you can see the resident furry, monkey-like animal with huge globe eyes that isn’t found anywhere anywhere else in the world. Or you can stop in to see the world’s largest python in captivity – it weighs more than 200 kg! We'll also venture deeper into Bohol Island to spend time at its massive waterfalls and natural swimming pools. Back in Panglao fresh chicken and seafood BBW are the favourite dinner choices, and the scene gets lively at several nightspots along the beach. With your group, there is never a shortage of fun and excitement, and this is another destination you definitely won’t want to leave.

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Donsol

The quiet fishing village of Donsol in a remote part of The Philippines has become one of the most astounding places to visit in the world because of its amazing residents that grace the waters here for part of each year and give you a chance to swim with the them. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world and one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, swarm to the tropical waters near Donsol in incredible numbers each year around March. We time our Philippines trip at this time to coincide with the arrival of the whale sharks to Donsol and getting to see and swim with these friendly giants makes the trip to Donsol more than worthwhile!

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Siargao

Located in the far eastern part of The Philippines, Siargao is an incredible island that truly offers everything we could want from a destination. Its low-key travel community and laid-back population create the perfect vibe to enjoy Siargao's gorgeous scenery, wicked beaches and its stellar surf scene that rivals any in Southeast Asia. There's plenty of reasons why we spend an entire week here on our Philippines trip, but the waves are what make it the hardest to leave. The water is warm, the surf community is friendly and helpful, the views from your board are always ridiculously amazing and the beaches offer a chilled sanctuary to rest between surf sessions. The few beach bars are great places to gather at night with the locals and other travellers and enjoy parties in paradise before you go to bed and wake up to another awesome day in the surf and sun.

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Sohoton Lagoon

Travelling by boat to Sohoton Lagoon, which is an island encircling a lagoon, you'll pass by many gorgeous islands and empty beaches including the aptly named Paradise Island, but you'll keep going until you reach a place that is especially amazing: an island of white-sand and palm trees surrounding a calm turquoise-blue lagoon shimmering in the sun. This is Sohoton Lagoon, an island paradise we get to enjoy on our Philippines trip, staying in a single giant house and enjoying incredible barbecue feasts on the beach. When visiting Sohoton Lagoon, you really do get to taste paradise!

Traveling on Cloud 9

Philippines

Cebu

Known as The Jewel of the South in the Philippines, Cebu is the country's second largest city and an important transit point for traveling around the southern part of the country. A relaxed and well-stocked city, it is a great place to enjoy the cozy amenities not found in some of the more isolated destinations in the country, such as taking in a new film at the cinema, pumping your guns at the gym, or eating at a nice guilty-pleasure restaurant. This charming port city also boasts some worthwhile historical sites such as the Catholic monuments of Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan's Cross. Time in Cebu is mainly just time spent passing through, but that's no reason to not enjoy all that the city has to offer!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

A Taste of Paradise

Take a trip to real-life Neverland. Heavenly white-sand beaches, constant tropical weather, and legendary parties await you. Taking you to the definitively best spots according to the season, our 10-day trips to Thailand will ensure you get to see, feel, touch, smell and hear all the gloriousness of this incredible country. Live it up in Bangkok, buy everything you could possibly desire and get a little (or a lot) crazy in its notorious nightlife scene. Travel to the southern islands, relax all-day in hammocks or on your sarong on the soft sand and perhaps get crazy again at wild beach parties that always seem to take you right to a beautiful sunrise before finally crawling into bed. Venture deep into the jungle and spend a night on a lake house floating in the middle of a national park, stare up at the towering limestone cliffs surround dense rainforest and listen to the call of gibbons monkeys and exotic birds. Each day, wake up to something new and uniquely Thailand. From the Buddhist culture to its unrivalled cuisine to the characteristic smile of its locals, every last second spent in Thailand is one to remember!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

Bangkok

The largest city and capital of Thailand, Bangkok is known not only as the gateway to Thailand but to all of Southeast Asia. At around 10 million people, Bangkok is a hive of activity and is full of people from all over the world. Its eclectic mix of residents and travellers creates one of the most international and diverse major cities in the world. Despite its diversity in people, Bangkok is very traditionally Thai - some of the most elaborate and extraordinary Buddhist temples lie within Bangkok and the city is filled with beautiful dedications to the King and the Royal Family, including The Grand Palace. There is an infinity of places to explore in this city and things to do, but most people will spend their time doing what Bangkok has become infamous with travellers for: shopping, eating amazing food and epic partying!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

Khao Sok National Park - Cheow Lan Floating Lakehouse

Between Southern Thailand’s two coasts, far from the beaches, deep inside an ancient rainforest lies one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the country: Khao Sok National Park. Surrounded by soaring cliffs and mountains dense in thick jungle vegetation and with rivers pouring down waterfalls leading to one of the most breathtaking lakes in the world, Khao Sok is like no other place you ever have or will visit. People may travel to Thailand for the beaches, but for the 10 years we've been running our Thailand trips, Khao Sok has often ended up being people's favourite spot on the entire trip!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

Railay

Surrounded by looming limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat, Railay Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. With a unique culture revolving around reggae music and rock-climbing, Railay has one of the coolest vibes you'll ever experience and is great for both day-time activities and night-time partying. There are no roads or vehicles and everything is within walking-distance, including seriously stunning beaches, a variety of cliffs to climb and a hidden lagoon! The locals in Railay are famously friendly and generally speak very good English, so it's a perfect place to hang out with them and learn more about Thai people and just meet some seriously cool folks. Railay is also home to some of the best fire-spinners in the world and every night you have a chance to see one of their incredible shows. So whether you feel like learning how to do cool new things or just kicking back and chilling, Railay knows how to make you feel right at home!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

Koh Phi Phi

Situated about an hour ferry ride from Thailand's west coast in the Andaman Sea lies the Phi Phi Islands (pronounced 'pee pee'), a stunning tropical refuge for travellers and fisherman alike. Limestone cliffs rise from the glassy green water, framing the islands and creating calm bays and coves where white-sand beaches stretch out into warm, crystal clear water and nestle up against the line of palm trees. Two main islands make up Koh Phi Phi, both of which are considered some of the most beautiful islands in Southeast Asia: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh.

Phi Phi Don is famous for its back-to-back crescent shaped, white-sand beaches that are separated by only 250 feet of land! It is the island where virtually everyone visiting Phi Phi stays. It has evolved into one of the hottest party spots for backpackers in Thailand and you’ll be sure to meet plenty of fun-loving travellers here from all over the world. And just a short boat ride from Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh is a stunning national park and home of Maya Bay, where Leonardo Dicaprio's movie 'The Beach' was filmed. You could make the argument that Phi Phi Leh is the most visually gorgeous island in the world and is the gem of the glorious islands that make up the epic destination of Koh Phi Phi!

Bali & The Gili Islands

Indonesia

Bali & The Gili Islands

Two of the greatest spots in the world, Bali & The Gili Islands serve up a sweet list of experiences that make all 10-days of this trip legendary. Dig your toes into some of the softest sand known to man, drop in on some cool crisp waves and surf ’til your arms fall off, hit up all-night beach parties and dance until you see the sun, slap a snorkel on and follow a sea turtle around as you swim through calm, clear water. Venture away from the beach and walk through ancient temples, witness beautiful spiritual ceremonies, and spot some interesting and rare wildlife. From the late-nights to the early mornings to everything in-between, you’re going to want to soak up all you can of this 10-day trip! If you ever need to catch up on sleep, then we prescribe a beach siesta or a couple cool ones in the hammock as everything, even sleep, is to be thoroughly enjoyed while in Indonesia!

Bali & The Gili Islands

Indonesia

Ubud

Hidden amongst the jungle canopies of Bali, Ubud exists in its own universe of creative mystique. Popularized in ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ Ubud lives up to its reputation of intrigue, with an impressive display of handmade items for sale and a myriad of cafes, shops and spiritual temples to spend your time. Much of the experience of being in Ubud, however, is simply enjoying Ubud. It can be amazing all on its own to just walk around and soak in the sights of the dense rainforest, the active wildlife and the shimmering rice terraces decorating the hills. Be sure to either take as many photos as you can or keep an alert memory so you can savour everything about your experience in Ubud!

Bali & The Gili Islands

Indonesia

The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands, located off the northwest corner of Lombok, is an incredibly glorious place where there are no cars, the beaches are as nice as can be and the turquoise water is as calm and clear as a swimming pool. The pristine reefs surrounding The Gili Islands host a fascinating array of exotic marine life. A good way to spend a day is popping on a snorkel mask, spotting 1 of the many sea turtles around the islands and simply following him around for awhile! The Gili Islands are a great place to kick back and enjoy the wonderful life of being on a tropical island, complete with wild beach parties at night!

Bali & The Gili Islands

Indonesia

Kuta Beach, Bali

The legendary island of Bali is what originally put Indonesia on traveler's radar - teeming with party-hardy travelers and a spectacular stretch of beach, Kuta Beach is arguably the liveliest beach destination in Bali. Home to the nicest sunsets in Indonesia, the beach stretches further than the eye can see and makes for a perfect place to learn to surf or perfect your wave-shredding abilities. The nightlife in Kuta is infamously awesome and when passing through this town you're sure to have a memorable (or hard to remember) night or two! Our stopover in Kuta beach is always full of wicked activities, chill beach days, great shopping and epic parties, making it a perfect spot for a Free & Easy group!

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Want to get off-the-beaten-path? Then this 10 day trip to Northern Thailand is for you. While most travelers heading to Thailand only dream of white sand beaches, little do they know that the north is the cultural heart of the country, filled to the brim with towns, jungles, rivers and temples that will blow your mind. Each day, you’ll wake up to something new and uniquely Thailand. From the Buddhist culture to the unrivalled flavors of Thai cuisine and the characteristic smile of its locals, every last second spent in Thailand is one to remember! If you want, this trip can keep your daily itinerary filled to the brim with a seemingly endless amount of incredible things to see and do. There are the incredible night markets of Chiang Mai, bamboo rafting down a river in the deep jungle, swimming and relaxing at a secluded floating lake house, having an insane night on Khao San Road in Bangkok…you will be experiencing so much more than could ever be described. And this trip is perfectly combinable! Whether you want to tack on 10 days of beaching it in Southern Thailand, 20 days of cultural exploration in Vietnam, or however many days in any other country Free & Easy goes to, there are so many options that allow you to continue your adventure through Southeast Asia. Start living free.

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Bangkok-

The largest city and capital of Thailand, Bangkok is known not only as the gateway to Thailand but to all of Southeast Asia. At around 10 million people, Bangkok is a hive of activity and is full of people from all over the world. Its eclectic mix of residents and travellers creates one of the most international and diverse major cities in the world. Despite its diversity in people, Bangkok is very traditionally Thai - some of the most elaborate and extraordinary Buddhist temples lie within Bangkok and the city is filled with beautiful dedications to the King and the Royal Family, including The Grand Palace. There is an infinity of places to explore in this city and things to do, but most people will spend their time doing what Bangkok has become infamous with travellers for: shopping, eating amazing food and epic partying!

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Chiang Mai

Nestled along the lush northern foothills of Thailand, brightened by hundreds of sacred temples and made festive by the fun-loving population, Chiang Mai embodies the heart and soul of Thai culture: holy and happy. Built around the old moated town centre, still outlined by a massive and crumbling stone wall, Chiang Mai is a progressive city that holds on tightly to its rich history. The peaceful nature of the city carries right into the night-time as Chiang Mai boasts one of the most devout and lively reggae music scenes outside of Jamaica. And with an endless amount of bucket-list activities within the city, from bungee jumping to climbing up to Doi Suthep, the lure of Chiang Mai and its world-famous food will make it very difficult for you to leave!

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Mae Ngat Dam

This hydroelectric dam has created a huge reservoir that is essentially a gorgeous lake surrounded by lush jungle hills…and it’s only 30 mins from Chiang Mai. There we will be retreating to our own secluded lake house to wash off the muck after our multi day jungle trek and relax in this off-the-beaten-path paradise. This will be an experience like no other. Spend your days tanning on the deck, swimming in the cool waters, going for a paddle in a kayak to a super cool local temple, or drinking beers with your TFFs as you watch the sun set. All your meals will be included, so after your trek through the jungles of Northern Thailand, all you will need to worry about is whether you put on enough sunscreen or should really have another beer (the answer to this one is always yes). Your days at the lake house will be some of the best of your life.

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Jungle Trek

In the lush and tropical jungles north of Chiang Mai in Thailand, we go on an epic 3-day jungle trek that includes an amazing array of activities including ethically interacting with elephants, bathing under a waterfall and riding a bamboo raft down a river! We spend 2 nights camping in tribal villages at night - eating with them, seeing how they live and tasting their not-so-delicious-but-potent "happy water" (rice moonshine). We sleep in massive huts that fit the entire group and each morning we wake up, eat breakfast, shake off the happy water cobwebs and continue on our adventure through the beautiful wilderness. It's an experience that fully encompasses the trials and tribulations of trekking through a tropical jungle and will reward you with an incredible feeling and unforgettable memory when it's all over.

Mediterranean

Americas

Africa

This trip provides all the best that the eastern part of the Philippines has to offer: a paradise island you can enjoy to yourselves, one of Southeast Asia’s best surf breaks and a step back into history hiking through the wondrous ancient emerald rice terraces of Banaue. There is a chance to do a little bit of everything on this 20-day adventure as there is ample time to unpack your bags and live on the beach when you spend a week in Siargao at the world famous Cloud 9 surf break. But there are also portions of the trip where days are filled with activity and crazy travel days as you get a taste of what travelling through the tropical island and mountain oasis of the Philippines is like!

Often given a bad reputation for its enormous size and overcrowded population, Manila is actually much more charming than it is given credit for. The city is separated into many distinct districts and when you downsize sprawling Manila into more manageable and smaller cities then individually some of them aren't so bad. We stay at a very cool, backpacker's spot that showcases some of the best live music and dancing venues that Manila has to offer, and seeing the jovial spirit of Filipinos in full force at karaoke and dance bars is a great way to enjoy your time here. Another district houses a massive modern shopping complex that has a very unique vibe to it and is a convenient place for your all-in-one shopping stop. So your expectations may be low for Manila, but enter the city with an open mind and you may very well enjoy your time here!

It'll feel like you're traveling back in time, and in many ways you are, when you take the winding road through Northern Philippines and into the dazzling world of the ancient emerald rice terraces of Banaue. Miraculously dug by hand and carved into the hills by the indigenous Ifugao people over 2000 years ago, the Banaue rice terraces cover over 10,000 km of hillside. And life has not changed much since the terraces were built as they are still the main source of food for the region. Hiking through the mountains of Banaue will not only give you incredible views of the stunning rice terraces and the surrounding scenery, but it will also give you a peek into a humbling lifestyle of farming and village life. Experiencing the Banaue rice terraces will give you an opportunity to see a sight often dubbed 'the 8th Wonder of the World' and also to walk through a world where simpler times prevail and just having food to eat and a place to sleep is more than enough reason to smile!

With little development and very few tourists, staying on Catanduanes Island presents an awesome opportunity to hang out with the local Filipino people and experience their famous hospitality. The famous Majestics surf break is right outside our front door on Pururan Beach, our perfect spot on Catanduanes. There isn't much to the island besides the wicked beach, the stellar waves and the people on it, but that is just what we like from a destination! We spend most of our days hitting the beach for some R & R (rum and relaxation) and enjoying the happy-go-lucky atmosphere instilled by the local people, who ensure that each day and night is stress-free and full of fun!

Panglao Island is the perfect balance of having a long gorgeous beach, fun nightlife, and all sorts of natural wonders nearby to explore. It offers scuba diving and snorkelling trips that will blow you away. The visibility and sheer number of fish makes it feel like a dreamy underwater world. The dive sites are protected as UNESCO world heritage sites, where sightings of sea turtles are common, and it’s possible to see dolphins as well! Connected to Bohol Island by a bridge you will have the chance to explore some incredible spots. Bohol is home to the famous ‘Chocolate Hills,’ which are 1268 round hills popping out of the landscape for as far as you can see. At the ‘Tarsier Visitor’s Center’ you can see the resident furry, monkey-like animal with huge globe eyes that isn’t found anywhere anywhere else in the world. Or you can stop in to see the world’s largest python in captivity – it weighs more than 200 kg! We'll also venture deeper into Bohol Island to spend time at its massive waterfalls and natural swimming pools. Back in Panglao fresh chicken and seafood BBW are the favourite dinner choices, and the scene gets lively at several nightspots along the beach. With your group, there is never a shortage of fun and excitement, and this is another destination you definitely won’t want to leave.

The quiet fishing village of Donsol in a remote part of The Philippines has become one of the most astounding places to visit in the world because of its amazing residents that grace the waters here for part of each year and give you a chance to swim with the them. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world and one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet, swarm to the tropical waters near Donsol in incredible numbers each year around March. We time our Philippines trip at this time to coincide with the arrival of the whale sharks to Donsol and getting to see and swim with these friendly giants makes the trip to Donsol more than worthwhile!

Located in the far eastern part of The Philippines, Siargao is an incredible island that truly offers everything we could want from a destination. Its low-key travel community and laid-back population create the perfect vibe to enjoy Siargao's gorgeous scenery, wicked beaches and its stellar surf scene that rivals any in Southeast Asia. There's plenty of reasons why we spend an entire week here on our Philippines trip, but the waves are what make it the hardest to leave. The water is warm, the surf community is friendly and helpful, the views from your board are always ridiculously amazing and the beaches offer a chilled sanctuary to rest between surf sessions. The few beach bars are great places to gather at night with the locals and other travellers and enjoy parties in paradise before you go to bed and wake up to another awesome day in the surf and sun.

Travelling by boat to Sohoton Lagoon, which is an island encircling a lagoon, you'll pass by many gorgeous islands and empty beaches including the aptly named Paradise Island, but you'll keep going until you reach a place that is especially amazing: an island of white-sand and palm trees surrounding a calm turquoise-blue lagoon shimmering in the sun. This is Sohoton Lagoon, an island paradise we get to enjoy on our Philippines trip, staying in a single giant house and enjoying incredible barbecue feasts on the beach. When visiting Sohoton Lagoon, you really do get to taste paradise!

Known as The Jewel of the South in the Philippines, Cebu is the country's second largest city and an important transit point for traveling around the southern part of the country. A relaxed and well-stocked city, it is a great place to enjoy the cozy amenities not found in some of the more isolated destinations in the country, such as taking in a new film at the cinema, pumping your guns at the gym, or eating at a nice guilty-pleasure restaurant. This charming port city also boasts some worthwhile historical sites such as the Catholic monuments of Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan's Cross. Time in Cebu is mainly just time spent passing through, but that's no reason to not enjoy all that the city has to offer!

A Taste of Paradise

Thailand

A Taste of Paradise

Take a trip to real-life Neverland. Heavenly white-sand beaches, constant tropical weather, and legendary parties await you. Taking you to the definitively best spots according to the season, our 10-day trips to Thailand will ensure you get to see, feel, touch, smell and hear all the gloriousness of this incredible country. Live it up in Bangkok, buy everything you could possibly desire and get a little (or a lot) crazy in its notorious nightlife scene. Travel to the southern islands, relax all-day in hammocks or on your sarong on the soft sand and perhaps get crazy again at wild beach parties that always seem to take you right to a beautiful sunrise before finally crawling into bed. Venture deep into the jungle and spend a night on a lake house floating in the middle of a national park, stare up at the towering limestone cliffs surround dense rainforest and listen to the call of gibbons monkeys and exotic birds. Each day, wake up to something new and uniquely Thailand. From the Buddhist culture to its unrivalled cuisine to the characteristic smile of its locals, every last second spent in Thailand is one to remember!

The largest city and capital of Thailand, Bangkok is known not only as the gateway to Thailand but to all of Southeast Asia. At around 10 million people, Bangkok is a hive of activity and is full of people from all over the world. Its eclectic mix of residents and travellers creates one of the most international and diverse major cities in the world. Despite its diversity in people, Bangkok is very traditionally Thai - some of the most elaborate and extraordinary Buddhist temples lie within Bangkok and the city is filled with beautiful dedications to the King and the Royal Family, including The Grand Palace. There is an infinity of places to explore in this city and things to do, but most people will spend their time doing what Bangkok has become infamous with travellers for: shopping, eating amazing food and epic partying!

Between Southern Thailand’s two coasts, far from the beaches, deep inside an ancient rainforest lies one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the country: Khao Sok National Park. Surrounded by soaring cliffs and mountains dense in thick jungle vegetation and with rivers pouring down waterfalls leading to one of the most breathtaking lakes in the world, Khao Sok is like no other place you ever have or will visit. People may travel to Thailand for the beaches, but for the 10 years we've been running our Thailand trips, Khao Sok has often ended up being people's favourite spot on the entire trip!

Surrounded by looming limestone cliffs and accessible only by boat, Railay Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. With a unique culture revolving around reggae music and rock-climbing, Railay has one of the coolest vibes you'll ever experience and is great for both day-time activities and night-time partying. There are no roads or vehicles and everything is within walking-distance, including seriously stunning beaches, a variety of cliffs to climb and a hidden lagoon! The locals in Railay are famously friendly and generally speak very good English, so it's a perfect place to hang out with them and learn more about Thai people and just meet some seriously cool folks. Railay is also home to some of the best fire-spinners in the world and every night you have a chance to see one of their incredible shows. So whether you feel like learning how to do cool new things or just kicking back and chilling, Railay knows how to make you feel right at home!

Situated about an hour ferry ride from Thailand's west coast in the Andaman Sea lies the Phi Phi Islands (pronounced 'pee pee'), a stunning tropical refuge for travellers and fisherman alike. Limestone cliffs rise from the glassy green water, framing the islands and creating calm bays and coves where white-sand beaches stretch out into warm, crystal clear water and nestle up against the line of palm trees. Two main islands make up Koh Phi Phi, both of which are considered some of the most beautiful islands in Southeast Asia: Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh.

Phi Phi Don is famous for its back-to-back crescent shaped, white-sand beaches that are separated by only 250 feet of land! It is the island where virtually everyone visiting Phi Phi stays. It has evolved into one of the hottest party spots for backpackers in Thailand and you’ll be sure to meet plenty of fun-loving travellers here from all over the world. And just a short boat ride from Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh is a stunning national park and home of Maya Bay, where Leonardo Dicaprio's movie 'The Beach' was filmed. You could make the argument that Phi Phi Leh is the most visually gorgeous island in the world and is the gem of the glorious islands that make up the epic destination of Koh Phi Phi!

Bali & The Gili Islands

Indonesia

Bali & The Gili Islands

Two of the greatest spots in the world, Bali & The Gili Islands serve up a sweet list of experiences that make all 10-days of this trip legendary. Dig your toes into some of the softest sand known to man, drop in on some cool crisp waves and surf ’til your arms fall off, hit up all-night beach parties and dance until you see the sun, slap a snorkel on and follow a sea turtle around as you swim through calm, clear water. Venture away from the beach and walk through ancient temples, witness beautiful spiritual ceremonies, and spot some interesting and rare wildlife. From the late-nights to the early mornings to everything in-between, you’re going to want to soak up all you can of this 10-day trip! If you ever need to catch up on sleep, then we prescribe a beach siesta or a couple cool ones in the hammock as everything, even sleep, is to be thoroughly enjoyed while in Indonesia!

Hidden amongst the jungle canopies of Bali, Ubud exists in its own universe of creative mystique. Popularized in ‘Eat, Pray, Love.’ Ubud lives up to its reputation of intrigue, with an impressive display of handmade items for sale and a myriad of cafes, shops and spiritual temples to spend your time. Much of the experience of being in Ubud, however, is simply enjoying Ubud. It can be amazing all on its own to just walk around and soak in the sights of the dense rainforest, the active wildlife and the shimmering rice terraces decorating the hills. Be sure to either take as many photos as you can or keep an alert memory so you can savour everything about your experience in Ubud!

The Gili Islands, located off the northwest corner of Lombok, is an incredibly glorious place where there are no cars, the beaches are as nice as can be and the turquoise water is as calm and clear as a swimming pool. The pristine reefs surrounding The Gili Islands host a fascinating array of exotic marine life. A good way to spend a day is popping on a snorkel mask, spotting 1 of the many sea turtles around the islands and simply following him around for awhile! The Gili Islands are a great place to kick back and enjoy the wonderful life of being on a tropical island, complete with wild beach parties at night!

The legendary island of Bali is what originally put Indonesia on traveler's radar - teeming with party-hardy travelers and a spectacular stretch of beach, Kuta Beach is arguably the liveliest beach destination in Bali. Home to the nicest sunsets in Indonesia, the beach stretches further than the eye can see and makes for a perfect place to learn to surf or perfect your wave-shredding abilities. The nightlife in Kuta is infamously awesome and when passing through this town you're sure to have a memorable (or hard to remember) night or two! Our stopover in Kuta beach is always full of wicked activities, chill beach days, great shopping and epic parties, making it a perfect spot for a Free & Easy group!

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Thailand

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks

Want to get off-the-beaten-path? Then this 10 day trip to Northern Thailand is for you. While most travelers heading to Thailand only dream of white sand beaches, little do they know that the north is the cultural heart of the country, filled to the brim with towns, jungles, rivers and temples that will blow your mind. Each day, you’ll wake up to something new and uniquely Thailand. From the Buddhist culture to the unrivalled flavors of Thai cuisine and the characteristic smile of its locals, every last second spent in Thailand is one to remember! If you want, this trip can keep your daily itinerary filled to the brim with a seemingly endless amount of incredible things to see and do. There are the incredible night markets of Chiang Mai, bamboo rafting down a river in the deep jungle, swimming and relaxing at a secluded floating lake house, having an insane night on Khao San Road in Bangkok…you will be experiencing so much more than could ever be described. And this trip is perfectly combinable! Whether you want to tack on 10 days of beaching it in Southern Thailand, 20 days of cultural exploration in Vietnam, or however many days in any other country Free & Easy goes to, there are so many options that allow you to continue your adventure through Southeast Asia. Start living free.

The largest city and capital of Thailand, Bangkok is known not only as the gateway to Thailand but to all of Southeast Asia. At around 10 million people, Bangkok is a hive of activity and is full of people from all over the world. Its eclectic mix of residents and travellers creates one of the most international and diverse major cities in the world. Despite its diversity in people, Bangkok is very traditionally Thai - some of the most elaborate and extraordinary Buddhist temples lie within Bangkok and the city is filled with beautiful dedications to the King and the Royal Family, including The Grand Palace. There is an infinity of places to explore in this city and things to do, but most people will spend their time doing what Bangkok has become infamous with travellers for: shopping, eating amazing food and epic partying!

Nestled along the lush northern foothills of Thailand, brightened by hundreds of sacred temples and made festive by the fun-loving population, Chiang Mai embodies the heart and soul of Thai culture: holy and happy. Built around the old moated town centre, still outlined by a massive and crumbling stone wall, Chiang Mai is a progressive city that holds on tightly to its rich history. The peaceful nature of the city carries right into the night-time as Chiang Mai boasts one of the most devout and lively reggae music scenes outside of Jamaica. And with an endless amount of bucket-list activities within the city, from bungee jumping to climbing up to Doi Suthep, the lure of Chiang Mai and its world-famous food will make it very difficult for you to leave!

This hydroelectric dam has created a huge reservoir that is essentially a gorgeous lake surrounded by lush jungle hills…and it’s only 30 mins from Chiang Mai. There we will be retreating to our own secluded lake house to wash off the muck after our multi day jungle trek and relax in this off-the-beaten-path paradise. This will be an experience like no other. Spend your days tanning on the deck, swimming in the cool waters, going for a paddle in a kayak to a super cool local temple, or drinking beers with your TFFs as you watch the sun set. All your meals will be included, so after your trek through the jungles of Northern Thailand, all you will need to worry about is whether you put on enough sunscreen or should really have another beer (the answer to this one is always yes). Your days at the lake house will be some of the best of your life.

In the lush and tropical jungles north of Chiang Mai in Thailand, we go on an epic 3-day jungle trek that includes an amazing array of activities including ethically interacting with elephants, bathing under a waterfall and riding a bamboo raft down a river! We spend 2 nights camping in tribal villages at night - eating with them, seeing how they live and tasting their not-so-delicious-but-potent "happy water" (rice moonshine). We sleep in massive huts that fit the entire group and each morning we wake up, eat breakfast, shake off the happy water cobwebs and continue on our adventure through the beautiful wilderness. It's an experience that fully encompasses the trials and tribulations of trekking through a tropical jungle and will reward you with an incredible feeling and unforgettable memory when it's all over.

Itinerary for this adventure

IMPORTANT: If you are doing a combo trip and booking your own flights, please contact us to confirm the start and end point of your trip.

Traveling on Cloud 9: 20 days in Philippines

Day 1-2

Manila

Group flights arrive late in the evening, and upon arrival at the guesthouse you will meet your group over drinks. The following day we will do a group tour of the astonishing San Agustin Church (incl). In the evening, we will take a private* A/C bus to Banaue. *all bus & jeepney transfers will be private on this trip. Only ferry rides are public.

Day 2-3

Batad

Arrive off the night bus in Banaue and take jeepney to the rice terraces. Hike to the historic rice terraces of Batad, often dubbed 'the 8th Wonder of the World'. Stay overnight in a small village with one of the best views imaginable. The next day, hike back and take jeepney back to Banaue and board the night bus back to Manila.

Day 4-6

Catanduanes

Arrive from the night bus at the airport and take a flight to Catanduanes Island. From the airport take jeepney to our paradise beach bungalows. Spend the next few days relaxing on the beach, surfing, exploring and interacting with the incredibly friendly locals.

Day 7-10

Panglao

Fly from Catanduanes to Manila and then take a flight to Tagbilaran City. Our van will pick us up to take us to Alonaland Resort in Panglao. We'll spend the next few days hanging around the pool, checking out the restaurants, bars and diveshops on the beach and going to explore the famous Chocolate Hills. * In March we go to Donsol instead of Bohol.

Day 7-10

Donsol*

Take jeepney to the ferry terminal. Take ferry to Tabaco City and take minibus to Donsol. Here you will have a chance to swim with whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. On the last day, take minibus to the airport and fly to Cebu. Take minibus to the ferry terminal and board the night ferry bound for Surigao. * We only go to Donsol in March

Day 11-17

Siargao

Change to the ferry bound for Siargao. This island's laid back island combines gorgeous scenery and wicked beaches with a world class surf scene. Just around the corner from our ocean view hotel lies famous surf-breaks like "Cloud 9" and "QuickSilver". On the last day our jeepney transfer will take us to the airport and then we fly to Cebu.

Day 18-20

Cebu

From the airport our minibus will take you to the hotel. Cebu is known as 'The Jewel of the South in the Philippines'. Explore this city and enjoy local street-foods, shopping, and nightlife. On the last day the group will take taxis to fly out of Cebu International Airport.

A Taste of Paradise: 10 days in Thailand

Day 1-2

Bangkok

Group flight arrives late in the evening. Meet your group over drinks at the guesthouse.
The following day we will venture to Wat Pho Temple for a guided tour (incl.) and then board the overnight train South towards the beaches.

Day 3

Cheow Lan Lake Trip

When the train arrives in Surat Thani in the morning, we will take private bus to Ratchaprapha Pier. Continue by long-tail boat out to the floating bungalows deep in the wild of Cheow Lan Lake. Enjoy lake living in a floating bungalow with a restaurant, bar, kayaks, floaties, and beverages all at your disposal. There are even nearby hikes to caves and waterfalls. This floating haven is consistently our top rated destination.

Day 4-5

Koh Phi Phi

Take the long-tail boat back to the pier and continue by private A/C bus to the pier in Krabi. Transfer to a ferry to the Phi Phi Islands. Here you will find outstanding scuba-diving, viewpoint hike, boat trips, snorkelling, and Maya Bay which was made famous as the set for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie 'The Beach'.

Day 6-8

Railay

Take ferry from Koh Phi Phi Don directly to Railay beach. Railay is home of two of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is completely surrounded by limestone cliffs, making it only accessible by boat. The same towering limestone cliffs are home to one of the top spots in the world for rock climbing

Day 9-10

Bangkok

Take ferry to Krabi town and take minibus to Krabi airport and take a speedy one hour flight to Bangkok. Arrive at the airport and take minibus to the guesthouse. Enjoy the last days in Bangkok exploring, shopping, eating, drinking and countless other activities in this cosmopolitain city.

Bali & The Gili Islands: 10 days in Indonesia

Day 1

Kuta

Group flights arrive in the afternoon. Get acquainted with the busy streets of Kuta, Bali and meet your group over some food and drinks.

Day 2-3

Ubud

We take A/C minivans to the nearby cultural destination of Ubud. Here we will see the more rural side of Bali and get a chance to see monkeys, temples and spend a day cycling through the countryside or enjoy a cooking class.

Day 4-6

Gili Trawangan

Take a private A/C minivan to the pier and board the high speed "Fast boat" to the paradise island of Gili Trawangan. Here the pace of the trip slows right down so you can experience Gili island living! Enjoy the beach life, or stay busy with scuba diving, paddle boarding, snorkelling, amazing food and nightlife that's perfect for backpackers.

Day 7-10

Kuta

We'll take the "Fast Boat" and then our minivans to get back to Kuta, Bali. Our centrally located hotel is minutes away from Kuta Beach, perfect for sunsets and learning to surf. Other options include traditional Balinese dance shows, white-water rafting, an incredible water park, or dance the night away at one of the many multiple storey night clubs! On the last day taxis take the group to Denpasar airport for departure.

Temples, Tribes & Tuk Tuks: 10 days in Thailand

Day 1-2

Bangkok

Group flight arrives late in the evening. Meet your group over drinks at the guesthouse.
The following day we will venture to Wat Arun Temple for a guided tour (incl.) and then board the overnight train North towards Chiang Mai.
*all transportation on this trip is private except for trains and planes.

Day 3-4

Chiang Mai

Arrive off the train and take minibus transfer to our guesthouse. Our guesthouse is centrally located in the old part of the city and is the perfect base for exploring the many small streets, cafes, and markets in the area. You'll never be bored in this city, as it offers no shortage of activities ranging from Thai cooking classes to bungee jumping.

Day 5-6

Jungle Trek

Take private transfer to the starting point of the trek. On our way we'll visit a local market for last minute supplies, have a swim underneath a waterfall, and even visit some hot springs. We'll begin our hike into the beautiful jungle of Northern Thailand. Hike through villages and over mountainous terrain, float down the river on locally constructed bamboo rafts, give an elephant a bath, and sleep in the traditional long-houses of hill tribe villages that welcome us into their homes. All meals included on the jungle trek.

Day 7

Floating Bungalows

After finishing the trek, and disembarking from the bamboo rafts, we'll take our private transfer to Mae Ngat Dam. From here, a short long-tail boat transfer will take us to our private floating bungalows! With diving platforms, a full scale restaurant, kayaks, floats, and a well equipped bar, this is the perfect place to relax and refresh from the rigorous Jungle Trek. All meals included on the floating bungalows

Day 8-9

Chiang Mai

Upon arrival at the pier, we'll take minivans back to our guesthouse in Chiang Mai. Our beautiful guesthouse offers a restaurant and a tropical garden with hammocks. Based in the old part of the city, everything is within walking distance; from late night live music bars, to street food dining, Muay Thai boxing rings, and a variety markets. Optional adventures outside the city include ziplining, bungee jumping, massage schools, temples, cooking classes...you name it, Chiang Mai has it! ** Enjoy your last night with the group.

Day 10

Bangkok

Take minibus transfer to Chiang Mai airport and take a speedy one hour plus flight to Bangkok. Arrive at the airport and take minibus to the backpacker district in Bangkok. Enjoy the rest of the day in Bangkok exploring, shopping, eating, drinking and countless other activities in this cosmopolitain city. Trip ends. *** If you are booking your own flight, make sure you departures is in the evening of this day at the earliest. If you have any questions about this please contact us at travel@fnez.com

To live Free and Easy is to live without busy, rigid schedules. Each destination provides some amazing activities, but we make sure that free time is there so you can take part in all of them or none of them, do as much or as little as you want. 'Take time, breathe it all in, no rush!'

More detailed information about what's included, destination information and activities are listed on this page.

Please note: The above itinerary is subject to change. A confirmed Free & Easy trip itinerary with exact routing will be provided at least 30 days prior to trip departure.

IMPORTANT: If you are doing a combo trip and booking your own flights, please contact us to confirm the start and end point of your trip.

Epic Experiences you will have on this adventure

Spend a Night in a Floating Bungalow

Drive deep into the jungle in Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park to arrive at the shores of Cheow Lan Lake. Tall limestone rocks jut out around the lake, massive trees poke through the surface and all around you is a lush jungle breathing with life. Your journey doesn’t end there though! Hop onto a long tail boat and enjoy one of the most picturesque boat rides in existence as you go deep into the lake to arrive at your home for the night – cozy and rustic bungalows floating right on the lake! Here you’ll be greeted by an amazing Thai family who will take care of everything during your stay at the lake house. Hike to caves, kayak to coves, swim in the clear freshwater or just lay back and enjoy the serenity of one of the most beautiful places we know of! After the sun falls, treat yourself to an array of adult beverages and dance the night away with your group and the Thai people living there who certainly know how to have a good time! It’ll be hard to be hungover when you wake up to the calls of gibbons monkeys and tropical birds, then poke your head out the door to see the sun rising over the lake. You can go ahead and pinch yourself at this point, because no matter how many times we experience this it’s hard to believe it’s real.

Go Scuba Diving

Diving is like no other experience on Earth. Life under the water is silent and peaceful, everything is flowing and moving in a way that we land creatures are unaccustomed to. Despite all of our high tech equipment, we are extremely out of our element in the water and it is a humbling experience to watch and observe what life is like under the sea. Fish come in all shapes, sizes and colours and move together in a harmonious unison through beautiful coral and twisted sunlight. On our trips, scuba diving is a huge activity as we travel to countries that offer some of the best diving in the world. The Caribbean in Central America possesses the second largest reef in the world, the warm waters of the South Pacific in Southeast Asia are home to the largest diversity of sea-life in the world and the seas of the Mediterranean are full of rich history and beauty. There is a whole universe under the ocean and experiencing what it's like to be in it is a must at least once in your life!

Chill at a Lake House

What better way to end a days-long trek through the jungle than by retreating to a secluded lake house in the middle of the hills of Northern Thailand? Rinse off the jungle muck in the clear fresh water of the lake, crack open a beer (or five), and relax in your own private lake house. Oh, did we mention that this lake house is also floating in the middle of the lake! We include all meals in this stay so there's no need to even worry about what you're going to eat. With one amazing meal after another served up to you right at the floating lake house you can spend your days in a cool reclined position or roll into the water for a refreshing swim or hop on a kayak and paddle to an amazing local temple. As nighttime arrives you can take your lake experience a step further and either crash out for one of the most peaceful sleeps of your life or sip on some frosty beers and cocktails until the wee hours of the morning. It's your place and it's smack dab in the middle of the lake so you can do whatever you damn well please! This is an amazing time to spend with your group and will no doubt bring everyone closer together, for there is a rule that many of us already know: what happens at the lake stays at the lake!

Zip Lining

Experience the rush of adrenaline as you step off the platform, the wind in your face as you begin to speed up, leafy branches whipping by until you burst into a sweeping view of the surrounding landscape…feel like you’re flying yet? This is zip lining! It takes you to previously inaccessible parts of the country, from lush rainforests to tangled jungles. As you soar through and above the canopy, you get a bird’s eye view of everything around you for miles. While being up high in the sky isn’t for the faint of heart, zip lining takes you to a whole new world where you can sit back, relax, and zip along enjoying panoramas you probably couldn’t find anywhere else. It’s no surprise that when you come upon a group of zip liners there’s nothing but smiles and whoops of excitement as they travel from tree to tree and on to new adventures.

Refill not Landfill

The Refill, Not Landfill initiative is the perfect complement to our beach cleaning initiatives. Plastic water bottles make up a large percentage of the waste that gathers on beaches around the world. With over 1000 travellers coming on trips with us throughout the year, and drinking/buying water bottles like nobody's business we realized that we are a part of the problem. So we decided to provide several of the guesthouses we stay at with filtered, re-useable water coolers to provide our travelers with all the water they need without creating any additional waste. Our hope is that by taking these steps and continuing to build on this initiative we will set ourselves up to completely eliminate plastic water bottles from our trips altogether. If we are able to do that we could prevent the use of approximately 100,000 plastic water bottles each year alone! So don’t forget to bring your re-usable water bottle on your trip and contribute to the world in an awesome way!

Swimming with Whale Sharks

***ONLY AVAILABLE ON OUR MARCH TRIP DATE!*** There’s nothing like swimming next to the largest fish in the animal kingdom to feel how small we truly are. While the word ‘shark’ might conjure up images of Jaws and blood-soaked waters, Whale Sharks are actually filter feeder sharks and the majority of their diet is made up of plankton -- so a clumsy looking human swimming around won't be very appetizing. But swimming with this beast isn't as easy as jumping into the ocean. Although you don't require scuba gear as whale sharks commonly swim around the surface, they can be elusive and many divers/snorkelers never get the chance to see one up close. Whale Sharks can be found in many places around the world but arguably the best place in the world to swim with them is the Philippines. Donsol possesses one of the largest school of whale sharks in the world and it's no coincidence that we time our March Philippines adventure to coincide with the best time to see these beautiful creatures up close. It's an experience our group leaders never get sick of and our group members never cease to be amazed by. So snap on your facemask, pull on those flippers and dive into the big blue for an awe-inspiring adventure with these gentle giants. (Boat & guide included, snorkel/diving gear not included).

Chocolate Hills

And now for something really unique! In Bohol, there is an amazing hike with a heck of a viewpoint that you won’t see anywhere else in the world: The Chocolate Hills! This day trip with FnEZ is included in the cost of your trip and for good reason! We head out on a good old-fashioned road trip to the start of the hike, so bring your favourite snacks and bevvies and jump in the van with your Free & Easy Family! The hike is short but sweet. It's not often you get such a great reward for so little effort! The viewpoint is what it’s all about. Looking out into the distance you’ll see hills on hills on hills that all look like everyone’s favourite treat, you guessed it, chocolate! In fact, the hills are only really brown during dry season, but a beautiful array of greens the rest of the year. So bring your cameras, your TFF, and your smile because this photo op is not one you’ll want to miss! After this epic experience, we’ll head for a lunch break and then a visit to the Tarsier Sanctuary! Read more about that as you continue exploring our Epic Experiences!

Visit a Tarsier Sanctuary

Welcome to the Tarsier Sanctuary! These little guys are considered one of the world’s smallest primates, and they are the primates with the largest eyes to body ratio, which means their adorable faces will steal your heart! Locally called mawmag, the tarsiers are nocturnal, hence their large eyes. The place we’ve chosen to use to visit them is ethical and caring of the special creatures. There is a great tour guide that will take you through a small patch of forest, making sure that there aren’t too many people getting in the way of the tarsiers living their lives. The fun part: you have to remain totally quiet so as not to disturb their sensitive hearing. It’s like being on a safari! Keep your eyes peeled and you might be lucky enough to see one of these little guys in the wild peeping an eye open at you!

Visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known as the Monkey Forest Ubud, is not just a tourist attraction, but also an important spot when it comes to research and conservation programs. Researchers from various institutions around the world visit the sanctuary to conduct research, particularly about the monkeys’ social interactions and behaviours. There are hundreds of monkeys running around this forest, and if you’ve ever wanted to interact with one, then this is the place to do it. Buy a couple bananas when you get there, and you’re guaranteed an exciting time! Take a walk through the forest and explore the shrines, temples and even graveyard contained within. This is a unique experience, not to be missed!

See "The Beach"

A book that has always been popular in the backpacker circuit is the 1996 novel by Alex Garland entitled 'The Beach' about a young traveller who stumbles upon an Eden-like paradise on an island in Southern Thailand. In 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in a film adaptation of the book and travellers around the world were amazed by the beach used in the filming of 'The Beach' and had to know where it was. Koh Phi Phi Leh is a small island in the Andaman Sea made up of huge, looming limestone rocks that give it an ominous and mythical appearance from a distance. And in the centre of all those rocks lies Maya Bay and the beautiful beach used in the filming of 'The Beach'. Now Maya Bay obviously has a lot to live up to, but when you see it on our boat trip to Koh Phi Phi Leh you can understand why it was chosen from the thousands of amazing beaches in Thailand to be used to depict a paradise on Earth.

Meet an Elephant

*This is an ETHICAL ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE* Animals have always fascinated us. There is an admiration we feel in awe of their beauty and their spirit, but there is perhaps no animal that is more admired than the elephant. Its giant size and gentle nature make it one of the most powerful, yet loving animals in the world. But because of this, they are often captured in the wild and sold to the logging industry to be worked to death hauling trees through the jungle. Many organizations have sprung up to rescue elephants from this horrible practice and keep them in protected camps, run by families that afford to keep them fed and healthy, by giving other people the chance to interact with the beautiful animals. Deeply rooted in Thai culture, caring for elephants is extremely sacred; a family that cares for elephants dedicates a great deal of their life to the one elephant entrusted to their care, as they are usually bound to one another for their entire lives. Getting face to face with an elephant is an incredible experience and one that you'll likely never forget!

Sunset Bike Trip

The Gili Islands are one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit. Picture idyllic small islands in the ocean, surrounded by white sand beaches and fluttering palm trees…it’s paradise. On Gili Trawangan, where we will be staying, there’s one main road that loops the entire island—yes it’s that small. So the best way to see a sunset? Grab some pedal bikes (rented for you courtesy of Free & Easy) and do a lap of the whole island! We stop at “Sunset Bar” to grab an ice cold bottle of Bintang and watch the sun go down, and then pop by the local market for dinner on the way back. You won’t forget this sunset anytime soon!

Have a Tropical Island All to Yourself

This experience is one we all dream about, but think is only possible for the rich and famous, however, we are able to do this on our Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand trips! And it's true that having an entire island to yourself seems a bit lavish, but it's a luxurious and relaxing experience that also leads to a whole lot of fun! It's like when you were younger and you first got to experience what having a house to yourself was like, but this time there’s no neighbours or even cops. We like to head to the island with our groups for a night or sometimes several stocked with frisbees, food, snorkel gear, coolers of beer, guitars, bottles of rum, fishing gear and our hammocks - everything we could possibly need. And then we just literally do whatever we want!

Rock Climb Up a Natural Cliff Face

Most of us have tried rock climbing, but it's usually been in a sweaty gym with an artificial climbing wall that is trying to mimic the outdoor experience of rock climbing. When you climb a natural cliff face, your body seems to know it and you almost feel like you're tapping into a core part of your humanity that is telling you that somehow, someway you have to scale this cliff - and most people surprise themselves with their ability to do it. One of the best parts of outdoor rock climbing is that it's generally done in some of the most surreal places on this planet so when you get to the top of your climb you're rewarded with a breathtaking view. From Thailand to Turkey to Peru and beyond, get your climb on in some of the most beautiful settings for an incredible experience and tremendous feeling of personal accomplishment.

Get Any Outfit You Can Imagine Tailor-made

For most travelers, shopping at home is an expensive and (for some) inconvenient chore, as we must troll through stores, malls, websites and our friends' closets in search of clothes that fit us properly and match our style. If only we could just go see some kind of person who makes clothes specifically for our size and preference… like a tailor? Having your clothes tailor-made is something we shrug off as something only for the rich and people interested in suits and dresses, but in many parts of the world tailors are still very prevalent and surprisingly affordable - and there is perhaps no place where this is more true than in Southeast Asia. Bangkok in Thailand is famous for its many suit and dress tailors offering great deals on a virtually infinite list of outfits. Likely the only place better than Bangkok is in the beautiful ancient capital of Hoi An in Vietnam, where you can find very cheap and very good tailors that make both western and traditional Vietnamese clothing. And we mean they'll make you anything: suits, dresses, jeans, shoes, jackets and with any material from high quality silk to denim to leather. It’s a dream come true for clothes lovers and an easy and cheap solution for those that detest shopping!

Hike the Rice Terraces of Banaue

There's no denying that the Banaue rice terraces in the Philippines are one of the most amazing sights on the planet. Etched out of the hillside over 2000 years ago, the seemingly endless number of terraces stretch through valleys and around hills and are all connected by thousands of stone staircases that the local farmers hike up and down each day. On our experience of the rice terraces, we ride out of town on the top of local Jeepnies until we reach the first breathtaking view and begin to walk. As you make your way across the terraces, you feel like you're stepping back in time as the rice is still farmed the same way it has been for thousands of years. The lifestyle of the farmers reflects the peacefulness of the setting as after our first day of trekking, we spend a night in a secluded guesthouse with a view so captivating that you'll spend your entire morning just admiring the place you've found yourself in. The second day of hiking requires a climb and the hundreds of steps may feel more like a fitness test than part of a vacation but upon reaching the top, you'll be completely invigorated by an amazing waterfall that'll cap off an incredible experience that showcases some of the great beauty that the Philippines has to offer.

Trek through a Tropical Jungle

Now we don't want to fool you, a jungle is an unforgiving setting to hike through - there is thick vegetation, overwhelming heat, leeches and an untold amount of other creatures lurking around. But there is also an extreme beauty that lies within the power of a tropical jungle, a rainforest is full of life and every square foot is covered in something interesting and unique! You'll experience true adventure when you trek through a jungle and even if you're tired, dirty and fending off insects when you're doing it, you'll be proud of yourself when you finish! On our LTC trip, we go on a 3-day jungle trek in Northern Thailand that includes an amazing array of activities (including ethically interacting with elephants and riding a bamboo raft down a river). We camp in tribal villages at night - eating with them, seeing how they live and tasting their not-so-delicious-but-potent "happy water" (rice moonshine). We sleep in a massive hut that fits the entire group and each morning we wake up, eat breakfast, shake off the happy water cobwebs and continue on our adventure. It's an experience that fully encompasses the trials and tribulations of trekking through a tropical jungle - from muddy uphill paths to utopian waterfalls!

Surf a Wave

Nothing compares to the feeling you get the first time you paddle into a wave, stand up as it breaks and ride the face of it – this is the incomparable feeling of surfing. When you get it right, you'll know, because you'll be more excited than the first time you had sex and probably more addicted to it, too! Surfing is arguably the most challenging sport in the world and requires you to learn much more than physical coordination. In order to surf a wave, you'll need patience, discipline, a lack of fear and an insatiable urge to have fun. It's no coincidence that 7 of the countries that we run trips to (Indonesia, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru & South Africa) have wicked surf scenes, because there's nothing quite like it. *** PLEASE NOTE surfing is dependent on the right conditions and not always possible

Wat Pho Temple Tour *

Enjoy the chance to explore Wat Pho alongside a knowledgeable local guide for a peek inside ancient and modern Thai culture. This Buddhist temple complex located in Bangkok is one of city’s oldest temples, having been established before Bangkok itself. It houses over 1000 Buddha images, making it the largest collection of Buddha relics in all of Thailand. This includes the statue that Wat Pho is most famous for: an enormous 49 meter-long golden statue of a Reclining Buddha. The Buddha’s feet alone are 3 meters high. It is probably one of the grandest sites you will behold in all of the city. On an interesting side note, Wat Pho is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught and practiced at the temple. If you have the time, ask your guide to tell you Bangkok’s real name…it’s the longest city name on Earth! *****Please note: Not included on the following trips: A Backpackers Dream and The World's Greatest Waterfight

Catch a Fish and Eat It, Too

We get so many people who come on our trips that say they don't like seafood and won't eat it - usually, they're not from a coastal town. So when we serve up a fresh barracuda or tuna or some other tasty fish that the fisherman caught that morning and we convince them to give it a try, the first thing they say (with a satisfied smile) is that this doesn't taste like the seafood they've tried. There's just no getting around it, fish is meant to be eaten fresh! And the only thing tastier than a fresh fish is one that you caught, too! Catching the fish that you eat used to be a part of life and still is in many parts of the world, however, more and more people are buying from the commercial fishing industry which is unsustainable and is destroying the ocean's eco-system. We offer the option to go fishing on nearly all of our trips with friendly, local fisherman that show you their tricks - it's an experience that not only teaches you the importance of fishing but is also a hell of a good time: on a boat, with friends, with beer, in the sun, drifting down a tropical coastline… 'nuff said!

Have One Night in Bangkok

There are a lot of incredible cities in the world, but there is only one Bangkok. The main jumping point for virtually every person traveling through Southeast Asia, Bangkok is full of people from all over the world and there is something for everyone in this massive, colourful city. And the temples, markets and shopping are sure all nice and dandy, but most "memories" that come from Bangkok are created after you have that first Chang beer or Sangsom bucket set, because after that really anything is possible! We won't get into the details of what all happens in Bangkok because everyone will have their own story to tell after a night of partying in a city filled with all-night clubs, street-side bucket stands and essentially an adult "playground" everywhere you look. It's a common feeling to wake up in Bangkok, have no idea what time it is and try to figure out if what you remember happening the night before was a dream or if it really did all happen!

Snorkel Trip in a Glass Bottom Boat

Let’s get that dose of Vitamin Sea! Free & Easy hires our very own private glass-bottom boat for a whole day. We’ll be cruising around the Gilis, throwing back beers, and stopping at a couple rad snorkel spots. The crystal clear, beautifully warm waters here are ideal to see all manner of sea life, so don’t be surprised if you get to hang with a couple of turtles throughout the day. Midway through we’ll be stopping on Gili Air for lunch, before heading back out to sea. There is no better way to chill out in the Gilis.

Practice Yoga on the Beach

Practicing yoga on the beach in warm, tropical weather provides you with the perfect environment to learn how to find a calm within yourself and feel your mind truly relax. Listening to the sounds of the jungle and the crashing of the waves on shore only adds to the bliss of this experience. You can experience practicing yoga in a beautiful and isolated setting under the expert guidance of yoga instructors on several of our our trips. So take an hour or so out of your day to stretch, breathe and enjoy one of the best yoga sessions of your life in paradise!

Bathe Under a Waterfall

When leaving home and hitting the road with your backpack, one thought you may have in mind is that you're not going to have another good shower for awhile. In most parts of the world water pressure is lower, there is often no hot water and you just can't seem to scrub off that distinct backpacker odour. However, there is one place where hundreds of gallons of refreshing fresh water can pour all over you in a surreal bathing experience and that spot is found at the bottom of a waterfall. When hiking around jungles, one of our favourite things to search out is a good tropical waterfall where you can swim, relax, and get right under it and let the huge torrent of water pour all over you and wash you clean! But the best part is often the simple sight of the waterfall itself, because for whatever reason there are few things in the world we find more captivating to watch than water dropping from great heights. Maybe it's because nothing falls with the grace of water, but either way it's an amazing feeling to come upon a gorgeous waterfall in the jungle and head straight into its downpour for the best shower of your life!

Volcano Sunrise Mt. Batur

This epic early morning trip will remind you why you decided to travel: a unique experience off-the-beaten-path that you won’t soon forget! How many people can say they’ve sat atop a volcano (1,700 metres high) to watch the sunrise over the amazing Indonesian landscape of mountains and volcanos and absolute beauty? If you want to be one of those people, jump on this Indo trip right now! This day trip includes an early morning, banana pancakes and coffee, and a 2-hour flashlight hike up Mt. Batur, an active (but safe!) volcano with unimaginable terrain. Then, you get your just rewards: a sunrise like no other. You have to see it to believe it! The beauty of it is magnified by your efforts to get there, and being surrounded by your amazing travel family and local guides. The walk back is a whole new experience in the light of day, seeing the world as it wakes up right in front of you! Make sure you bring some seriously warm clothes in a daypack. You’ll be glad you did when you reach the top. So get out there and have some fun, try something new, and live free!

Surf A Wave

Nothing compares to the feeling you get the first time you paddle into a wave, stand up as it breaks and ride the face of it – this is the incomparable feeling of surfing. When you get it right, you'll know, because you'll be more excited than the first time you had sex and probably more addicted to it, too! Surfing is arguably the most challenging sport in the world and requires you to learn much more than physical coordination. In order to surf a wave, you'll need patience, discipline, a lack of fear and an insatiable urge to have fun. It's no coincidence that 6 of the countries that we run trips to (Indonesia, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Peru & Colombia) have wicked surf scenes, because there's nothing quite like it.

Go Snorkelling

Snorkelling is a great alternative for those looking to save a little money on diving costs or those who can’t dive for medical reasons. Floating along the surface of the water at any one of our incredible destinations around the world will give you a peak into a magical underwater world. More confident snorkelers can even dive down to get a closer look at the fauna and flora found in our oceans. From glittering fish, to colourful anemone, and super cool sharks (don’t worry, the non-carnivorous ones), snorkelling is a wonderful experience for the non-diver. So snap on a mask and grab your flippers (and DON’T inhale while diving) and you’ll be all set for a little adventure under the sea.

Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is still a relatively young sport and gaining participants with great momentum. Learn to SUP with easy, progressive and fun SUP lessons in Cape Town on calm water or in the waves at Muizenberg. You will learn how to safely SUP in waves in the shallow beach break in Muizenberg, internationally recognized ideal spot for learning Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Surfing.

Authentic Thai Cooking Class

This must-do activity in Northern Thailand is a dream come true for any foodie, traveler, or just plain hungry person. Start the day by meeting up with your host at a local market where you will help pick up fresh ingredients among the bustling, laughing Thai people. Then it’s off to your host’s home, a beautiful villa with a huge garden where more of your ingredients come from...you know it’s going to be good. Even though nothing is pre-made and you are actually preparing every part of the meal, this doesn’t feel like work. With nap time included, it’s an easy going day of cooking, tasting, and enjoying with your TFFs. Plus, with 5 meals in total (one of them is desert!) you’ll be stuffed, rested, and ready to show off your new skills in the kitchen to your family and friends back home.

Watch a Traditional Muay Thai Fight

You want authentic? You got it. Grab a cold one, take a seat, and come watch the national sport of Thailand in it’s hometown: Chiang Mai! With open air stadiums surrounded by street food, street beers, and a ton of locals, you’ll be right in the middle of an ultimate part of Thai Culture. The Thai People take Muay Thai quite seriously, with events ranging in age from young children to full fledged athletes who have been training all of their life. This is real, intense, amazing stuff that you won’t want to miss on your trip to Northern Thailand. Feeling gutsy? Place a bet with a local, or your TFF, and join the scene!

Ride a Bamboo Raft Down a River

Let us paint this scene out for you: You've just spent all day hiking through thick jungle and vegetation deep in the wilderness of Northern Thailand. You're almost ready to call it a day but there's still several miles between you and the nearest village and there's a massive river blocking your crossing. There's bamboo everywhere so you pull out a machete, chop down some bamboo canes and tie them all together. Not only do you now have a raft, all of your friends are there and a beer cooler, too! Your jungle trek has now become a raft party - you've still got to navigate the rapids but taking turns with that task while sipping some beers as the sun sets behind you will be a perfect way to end the day. And don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of help building a proper and safe raft!

Bike Ride Adventure through Ubud!

What is adventure? It's a full day bike trip where you bike through the villages of Ubud, you stop to try all the local coffees including the "cat-poo-ccino,” you stop at a banyan tree, at a house in one of the villages to learn more about traditional Hinduism, at some rice fields, and you end the day off with a delicious late lunch buffet. It's the most incredible day! But what really makes it an adventure? Doing it all with two amazing leaders and a group of your new best friends who are just as excited as you are about trying new things and seeing the world from a local’s point of view. Treat yourself to adventure: Go to Indo.

Take a Jeepney Ride

Jeepneys are a traditional mode of transportation in the Philippines. They came to be after the American presence in the Philippines during WWII. After the Japanese were defeated by the Americans, many Jeeps were sold or left behind. The Filipinos, with their ever sunny dispositions, turned the vehicles into brightly coloured, flashy, and economic modes of public transportation for the people of the Philippines. We are very lucky to have the chance to take them for a few rides ourselves! Many Jeepneys offer the ability to sit on the roof, which makes for epic views when driving through some beautiful and scenic locations! We take multiple Jeepney rides on the Cloud 9 trip, but our favourite is in Catanduanes where we take them for a scenic drive along the coast, ending at an amazing view point and waterfall. Find a seat and hang on!

Twelve Tastes of Thailand

Step off the beaten path and into the lush jungle where a meal becomes an experience with 12 authentic, home-cooked Thai meals included in this adventure. Our food journey begins in the villages of the North Thai jungle, and continues through to the lakehouse for four days of delicious family-style meals. Traditionally Thai cuisine is centered on five essential flavors: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy. Each meal includes a delicious rush of flavor and leaves you wanting more.
Once we arrive to the first village our local guides work with the villagers to prepare the homemade meal, and there’s always room for an extra set of hands in the kitchen. Later we sit down to this fresh meal overlooking the rice fields and gardens where the food was grown. Our second day in the jungle is filled with a delicious variety of meals! We start the day with the freshest of eggs, trek to our lunch spot to enjoy endless noodle soup, and finally for dinner we dive into a meal of meat and veggie skewers with curry, which are presented to us on homemade bamboo plates. What a rush! After a much-needed digestion break we head to the campfire and top our night off with some local “Happy Water”. The following morning we hop on our bamboo rafts and head for a Pad Thai lunch stop on our way out to the lake house. Our flavour journey doesn’t stop there as our taste buds are in for a treat out at the lake. Some highlights include: traditional Chiang Mai sausage with sticky rice, fresh fish, tom yum, and pork chops. Vegetarian? No problem! All of our meals can be adjusted to accommodate a vegetarian diet. Take your taste buds on a flavour rollercoaster in Northern Thailand!

Traditional Kecak Fire Dance Show at Uluwatu.

High up on the cliffs of Uluwatu, get ready to take in an incredible spectacle: the traditional Balinese dance called the Kecak. Based on the traditional Balinese ritual, it tells the famous epic Hindu story of the Ramayana. It’s a very popular performance - just to get there will bring you through the paths of the temples and along clifftops with their view of the ocean, finally arriving at the stage. The dance will feature no instruments, but rather the chanting of about 30 Indonesian men. The story that will unfold is that of a woman stolen from her husband by a demon, and the challenges he must face to rescue her. To top it all off? The whole performance takes place as the sun is setting, adding to the beauty and drama of the experience.

Buy Everything in Bangkok

A trip to Thailand is not complete without a day spent shopping in Bangkok. Whether male, female, or a bit of both, there’s something for everybody in this crazy city! From the infamous street markets to the luxurious malls to the seemingly infinite amount of random market stalls, you can literally buy everything in Bangkok! Get right into it and sift through boxes of knock-off designer jeans, check out the funky tee’s created by local artists, find piles and piles of rad shoes. Hit the electronics and find every movie ever made or cheap cellphones, computer software and old video games. Peruse the knick-knacks and score samurai swords, unique art, Buddha carvings, and homemade jewellery. Wanna get fancy? Get anything you want tailor-made, from suits to jackets to shoes or hit up the gold jewellery stores and find that perfect piece! Or head to some of the nicest malls in the world and find every brand-name you want. The favourable exchange rate and generally cheap prices make shopping a fun, interesting and incredibly lucrative experience when in Bangkok! When you’re finally all done, relax with a well-deserved beer or park your keester in the cinema and enjoy the massive screens and comfy chairs for just a few bucks. How can anyone not love a stopover in Bangkok!?

Beach Cleanup

Our Trash Hero beach cleanups are a great way to do good, feel good, and get some beach all at the same time. With thousands of tons of trash swirling around the oceans, the unfortunate reality is that some of it washes up onto the beautiful beaches we fall in love with around the world. So we thought ‘Let’s do something about this!’ Our partnership with Trash Hero began in Koh Lipe, Thailand, where they regularly organized beach cleanup days. Today, Trash Hero has gone viral and can be found operating in Thailand and Indonesia, and is spreading into dozens more countries at a rapid pace. On our end, beach cleanup day quickly became one of the most fun and rewarding days on our Thailand trip. So we decided to spread the love, and have instituted a beach cleanup day into our regular itineraries across the world. Through our sponsorship and partnership with Trash Hero, our travellers and others like them have since collected tens of thousands of kilograms of trash from the beaches we travel to…and really, there’s nothing more epic than saving the world! ** We will always strive to make a beach cleanup happen, but sometimes we may not be able to make it happen **

Party for Prosthetics

Party for Prosthetics is one of our newest initiatives that turns the aluminum tabs from beer cans into prosthetic limbs for people in need, such as those who have been dismembered from injury, disease, or landmines. We have partnered with a Thai organization called The Prostheses Foundation that has been doing this since the early 90’s - when we realized how much we could help out just by saving our beer tabs we thought this was a real win-win! Through a combination of our beach bevvies, travel day sippy cups, and all-night ragers, we have been known to put away a few beers from time to time, and now we are turning these parties into prosthetic limbs! This initiative adds even more zest to each cheers, shotgun, and beer bong, and fills us with a sense of pride as we gather the tabs over the course of each trip and see buckets fill with valuable little pieces of metal that are going to change someone’s life!